Chapter 169 - 86: First Spirit Core, Approaching Perfection

Chapter 169: Chapter 86: First Spirit Core, Approaching Perfection

"..."

"So strong!"

A single Imperial Decree brought the Molten Rock Demon to its knees, and the strike that followed directly annihilated the Spirit Core Late Stage Stone Demon.

To unleash such overwhelming combat power after only a month of cultivation—the sight sent a tremor through the hearts of the cultivators on the viewing platform.

Of course, the cultivators could also tell that Jiang Xuan’s ability was particularly effective against the Stone Demon. Furthermore, his final strike hadn’t just borrowed the power of Heaven and Earth; the process of compressing and condensing that power alone had taken a significant amount of time.

He had to be extremely careful throughout the release, as he couldn’t afford even the slightest disturbance.

If the Molten Rock Demon hadn’t been so thoroughly countered by Jiang Xuan’s ability, suppressed to the point of total immobility, he never would have been able to successfully unleash that long-brewing finishing blow.

But regardless of the circumstances, no one could deny one iron-clad fact: a Spirit Core Late Stage Molten Rock Demon had been decisively slain in a direct confrontation by Jiang Xuan, who was only at the Spirit Core Initial Stage.

Even Lin Rongjin, who had always looked down on Jiang Xuan, was so stunned her jaw dropped and her throat went tight, leaving her utterly speechless.

Meanwhile, Mu Shu, sitting beside her, wore an equally grave and grim expression, a storm of emotions churning within her.

She had originally been completely confident in her son’s victory.

Even though Song Zhou and Cheng Jin had targeted the Yin Daoist School, and most students from the Rooster and Chen Daoist Schools regarded her son as their greatest rival, she had still firmly believed that once her son fully unleashed the ability of his Divine Power Seed, he would be the one to ultimately take the crown.

But the power Jiang Xuan had revealed in this battle ignited a genuine worry in her heart.

’This level of power... it could threaten Qianjun... No, it should be fine. Qianjun can also fight a Spirit Core Late Stage Demon Beast alone. Besides, his abilities aren’t so easily countered.’

...

While Mu Shu was giving herself a mental pep talk, on the other side of the platform, Su Wanyi’s usually composed expression was a mask of utter shock and astonishment.

She knew Jiang Xuan was strong, but she had never imagined he could be *this* strong.

’I’ve misjudged him... He’s no ordinary prodigy. He’s a top-tier genius, one who has a real chance of entering the Daozi Courtyard.’

As she re-evaluated Jiang Xuan’s potential, Su Wanyi realized one thing with perfect clarity: her attitude toward him had to change once again.

’I sensed his extraordinary talent, which is why I gave him five thousand Spirit Stones when he only asked for three. I thought I could use it to build goodwill, to put him in my debt and lay the groundwork for a future connection... It’s clear now that such a small gesture was nowhere near enough.’

’With the talent Jiang Xuan has now displayed, he’s capable of single-handedly upholding the glory of an entire clan. Anyone close to him would bask in his good fortune and reap endless benefits... A marriage alliance. Betrothing Linyin to him is the fastest way to win him over. It is also the best possible future for Linyin.’

At this thought, however, a bitter and regretful expression touched Su Wanyi’s features.

She knew perfectly well that it was already a little too late to be planning a marriage alliance.

After Jiang Xuan demonstrated the astounding power to defeat an opponent two minor realms above his own, the spectators exchanged glances before, as if by unspoken agreement, secretly sending people to investigate Jiang Xuan’s background and cultivation history.

Clearly, she wasn’t the only one who was interested and saw great potential in Jiang Xuan’s future.

What she didn’t know whether to feel fortunate or bitter about was the fact that her Linyin held a unique advantage no one else possessed.

After all, the Jiang Family had once been subordinate to her and Linyin, practically their vassals.

Of course, Su Wanyi never considered using their former master-vassal relationship to try and strong-arm Jiang Xuan. She wasn’t that foolish or short-sighted, and she knew full well that such an attempt would be doomed to fail.

The shortcut she envisioned was to exploit the taboo inherent in the master-servant dynamic.

’As a former servant, Jiang Xuan must have secretly harbored thoughts of desecrating his masters and dominating Linyin. This desire for the lowborn to defy the highborn, to trample upon a noble identity—it’s a base part of human nature. No one is immune.’

’As things stand now, Linyin has no advantage in trying to marry Jiang Xuan.’

’But what if I give Linyin a few pointers? Have her put on the airs of an arrogant young mistress in front of Jiang Xuan, while I secretly give him my tacit approval to act as he pleases...?’

Su Wanyi could already imagine what would happen. A Jiang Xuan, given free rein, would humiliate her daughter terribly.

But she believed it was worth it.

In her eyes, romantic feelings were fleeting illusions. Only cultivation and power were fundamental.

’Cultivation determines more than just status and power; it dictates one’s very lifespan... With Linyin’s talent, if she cultivates on her own, the best she can hope for is to form a Dao Foundation. Achieving the Unity of Gang and Fiend would be nearly impossible for her.’

’Only by tying herself to a peerless talent like Jiang Xuan can Linyin secure a future of splendor and limitless potential.’

...

Of course, Jiang Xuan, still in the middle of the trial, was completely unaware of the spectators’ awe, much less Su Wanyi’s taboo scheme to set him up with Su Linyin.

After unleashing Sun Mangzhong - Fire Tree and Silver Flowers, he turned abruptly and beat a hasty retreat.

He did so because the Fire Dao Power, condensed from a vortex of Gravity, was simply too violent and intense. At his current Cultivation Realm, he was utterly incapable of controlling it perfectly.

BOOM!

He had barely gotten a hundred meters away when a colossal explosion shook the heavens behind him. The dozens-of-meters-tall Fire Tree and Silver Flowers shimmered with radiant, dreamlike light, possessing a kind of tragic beauty.

Then, countless incandescent silver flowers burst outward, bringing the magnificent scene evoked by the name "Fire Tree and Silver Flower Nightless Heaven" to life in the most vivid way imaginable.

But behind this ultimate splendor lay lethal danger. If Jiang Xuan hadn’t moved so quickly, those incandescent Fire Swords would have undoubtedly riddled him.